[nabs-l] volunteering with homeless population

[Greg Aikens]

Hi Ashley,
I have volunteered with a few different homeless shelters.  In one, I helped with dinner, stayed the night, and helped with breakfast in the morning.  I knew that serving would be difficult so I always volunteered to be the dish washer.  Its not something I love doing but it was the most readily accessible job.  After dinner we spent time with the men in the shelter and I usually brought a deck of braille cards to play spades with some of the men.  Each of us had to take a 2 hour shift with a partner during the night to watch the video monitors and make sure everyone was ok.  I couldn't monitor the cameras but I was able to help by talking to whoever my partner was to help keep them awake.  

At another shelter I helped sort and roll silverware before the meal was served and helped serve drinks during the meal.  The drinks were in those big coolers with a spout at the bottom and I was able to judge when the cup was full by the weight, instead of using my finger like I do in my own drink.  

There are lots of ways you can participate and contribute.  Finding a specific shelter and discovering how they do things will probably be the best way to figure out how you can help.  Take a friend or a family member who is familiar with your abilities with you to help identify possible ways you can help.  Or arrange to show up a little early to meet with someone at the shelter and have them show you around before it is time to start.  

I applaud you for wanting to serve in this way.  Service is character building and I think its a great way to change attitudes toward blindness.  

-Greg
On May 11, 2011, at 8:51 PM, <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> Have any of you worked at soup kitchens or food pantries?  How about an area where you either sort out clothes or give them out?
> How did it go?  If you are serving, how did you know when they were there?  When my dad and I served at a shelter, they would line up
> quietly. I did not always know when someone new was coming up.  I have tunnel  vision, so spotting a person was not always doable.  My dad would say someone was there.  They lined up together, but sometimes people came in later during that hour at random times.
> Since we cannot read clothes tags or labels on items, I’m not sure we can sort food/clothes/everyday  items.
> I’ve not served at a soup kitchen, just shelters.  I wonder if a soup kitchen is different and run more assembly line method.  That would be easier. Each volunteer in the assembly line would serve an item and the plate would be passed down.  
> 
> Just asking so if I decide to volunteer, I know what alternative techniques others have used.
> 
> Ashley
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